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I posted to Lib Dem Voice this afternoon Paddy Power’s OTT press release — claiming that “Victory for the Lib Dems in Oldham is now as unlikely as Manchester United finishing at the bottom of this year’s Premier League with Roy Keane in charge!” — challenging the bookmaker to put their money where their mouth is, and offer me the same odds for both outcomes.

Here is the full text of my email to Ken Robertson of Paddy Power plc:

Dear Ken,

Thanks for the communication. Given your statement, “Victory for the Lib Dems in Oldham is now as unlikely as Manchester United finishing at the bottom of this year’s Premier League with Roy Keane in charge!”, can I assume you’ll offer me the same odds for both events. I see Betfair are currently offering 949/1 that Man U. will be relegated (not even finish bottom, nor with Roy Keane as manager) – so will you take a bet of £20 at 949/1 that the Lib Dems will win Oldham? I’m assuming so from your press release, so look forward to confirmation by reply.

Many thanks,
Stephen

Sadly — as noted by Andrew Sparrow’s Guardian live-blog — I received a rather bland apology rather than the chance to place a potentially lucrative bet: